On Thursday, May 28, Plant City High School held interviews for the position of principal. The current principal is Colleen Richardson, who will be retiring at the end of this school year. It is expected that the position will be filled by June 9.
Everyone who applied for the job was interviewed, according to Jerry Jackson, the area director for Area 4 of Hillsborough County Public Schools. A total of eight candidates were interviewed by Jackson, who was assisted by a panel of members who represented all community residents. The panel members included students, teachers and PCHS alumni.
THE CANDIDATES
Gregory Basham is the assistant principal for magnet curriculum at Howard W. Blake High School in Tampa, as well as a master mentor for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Basham attended East Tennessee State University and earned his master’s degree from the University of South Florida. He believes that it takes all members of the community to come together to provide a successful education for students and has worked to create these bonds between students and the community at his past and present schools.
Tim Binder is a lifetime resident of Hillsborough County and has been a previous principal at two schools. In regards to changes, Binder believes in collaborative leadership while still focusing on tradition within the community. At his previous schools, Binder would inform his administrative team five minutes before the bell rang so that they could assemble in the hallway. This, he believes, prevented a number of discipline issues. If selected as the new principal for PCHS, he would enforce a respectful environment where everyone feels welcome.
Jay Blavatt is the current assistant principal at C. Leon King High School, but served as an assistant principal at Plant City High School from 2010 to 2013. Blavatt grew up in a family of educators. If chosen as the new principal, he will focus on the community’s role, specifically in having open lines of communication with the business world. Blavatt would also focus on at-risk graduates, and increasing students’ participation in accelerated programs. Blavatt also wants students to do the right thing and be accountable while making the school a hospitable environment.
Traci Durrance is the current assistant principal for administration and athletic director at Plant City High School. Durrance grew up in Plant City and attended Plant City High School. Durrance’s platform focuses around community involvement and making sure that the students’ voices are heard. Additionally, Durrance is focused on improving the graduation rate at PCHS, as well as the test scores for reading. If hired as the new principal, Durrance will push more industry certifications and promote positive behavior within the school, as well as focusing on a new mission for the school that will improve student character.
Peggy Obel’s passion has been with students since the start of her career in education. Currently, Obel is the assistant principal for curriculum at Plant City High School. Although Obel does not want to make major changes to the school right away, she wants to continue the school’s current traditions and promote school culture by being visible and positive. Obel’s background is in discipline, which has led her to interact with troubled students in a manner that allows for dialogue.
Christie Raburn has worked all across Hillsborough County. A Plant City native, Raburn graduated from Plant City High School before becoming an assistant principal at Durant High School. Later, she became one of the first administrators at Strawberry Crest High School, and is its current assistant principal for curriculum. If selected as the new principal at PCHS, Raburn would focus on developing individual plans for at-risk students in order to improve the current graduation rate. She believes that PCHS should be a focal point within the community and that student input and interaction is the best way to improve school culture.
Jennifer Sporano has experience in both magnet and neighborhood schools. She believes the largest factor in solving disciplinary issues is to have a positive relationship between students and administrators. In order to have greater student success, Sporano will work across content areas to achieve passing rates in core classes. She believes in the legacy and sense of community at PCHS, and believes that the community should be part of the school’s culture.
Susan Sullivan attended Plant City High School and later returned to work as a teacher, swimming coach and guidance resource specialist. She is the current principal at Tomlin Middle School, where she has instilled in students a code of respect, integrity and community. Sullivan wants to increase student achievement at Plant City High School, and encourages mentorships between students and teachers. Sullivan has also found that talking to students and their parents allows for teachers and the administration to determine what changes need to be made to the school.
Meet the Panel
The interview panel was composed of the following members:
Calvin Callins, Pastor and Assistant Basketball Coach
Lori Yarbrough, PCHS alumnus and parent
Dan Walden, PCHS alumnus and Florida Strawberry Festival President
Yvonne Fry, PTSA President
Rebecca Hendrix, Teacher of the Year
Iris Lewis, AVID Instructor
Lindsey Blankenbaker, Social Studies teacher and CTA Representative
Veronica Gutierrez, Migrant Advocate
Three students from PCHS leadership positions
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com